Ryan Mountain Hikes - there are 2 hikes you can do from the Ryan Mountain parking lot. One is somewhat strenuous, and the other (Desert People Hike) is very easy.

Ryan Mountain Hike: At the left end of the parking lot is the trailhead and sign for Ryan Mountain. This trail is steep gaining over 1,000 feet in a 2.8 mile round trip hike and has over 550 stone steps. It isn't too bad unless you have bad knees. Between the steps, it is a steady climb. Do not let this keep you from trying it as it isn't as bad as it sounds. I'm in my 70's and didn't have a problem going up or down.

At the start of the trail are several amazing monzogranite formations. They are gigantic boulders with a lot of cross hatching which is formed when the granite, which is formed underground, rises to the surface. Weathering widens the cracks and rounds the edges. Monzogranite is very different in appearance (both in color and in the cracks) from the granite you see in Sierra Nevadas as you will see from the photos. As you climb, the rock formations change and there is quite a variety of types of rock. There are great views that keep changing as you climb. And at the top, a full 360-degree view.

While I'm showing it as a separate hike, when you are returning from the top, you can take a trail going off the left as you reach the monzogranite formations near the start of the hike. Instead of going straight, take trail that goes left and goes around the very large monzogranite formation on the left side of the trail (see the next to the last slide). It is a short additional hike (walk really, as it is almost level here) but it is worth it for the views you will see.